Lately, it feels like Ubisoft just can’t catch a break with its Assassin’s Creed franchise. The recent controversy surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now compounded by another issue—this time involving Assassin’s Creed Origins, a title released seven years ago. A recent update has sparked backlash due to significant performance problems, leading to a wave of review bombing. This latest hiccup only adds to the growing list of challenges the franchise is facing.
The impact of these issues goes beyond just Assassin’s Creed Origins; it’s affecting the broader reputation of the Assassin’s Creed series. With anticipation building for the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the last thing Ubisoft needed was a new controversy. Unfortunately, this situation further muddies the waters, diminishing hopes for a brand recovery anytime soon.
It’s evident that Ubisoft has been struggling for a while now. The company’s reputation in the gaming community has been declining, not least because of disappointing releases like Star Wars Outlaws, which fell short of sales goals. Adding to the woes are criticisms of historical inaccuracies and perceived cultural insensitivity in some of their games, such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows. These issues have driven Ubisoft to focus on regaining fan trust, though mostly through internal efforts.
Assassin’s Creed, one of Ubisoft’s most beloved series, has faced its share of criticism. The release of Assassin’s Creed Origins in 2017 marked a turning point, as the series shifted from stealth-based gameplay to a more expansive, action-driven RPG format. While initially welcomed, this direction change has led to mixed reactions in games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Recently, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has attracted widespread negativity even before its launch. Critiques focus predominantly on its handling of historical elements—a criticism the franchise has faced before. Both fans and critics argue that the liberties taken with historical facts compromise the games’ educational aspect, potentially misleading players. The portrayal of Yasuke, one of the characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, has sparked debates about historical accuracy, with some calling for the game’s cancellation.
Adding more fuel to the fire is the game’s portrayal of Japanese culture, criticized for its inaccuracies in representing architecture and other cultural elements. These issues continue to keep the game under intense public scrutiny.
The recent review bombing of Assassin’s Creed Origins due to its performance issues only exacerbates the situation. The problems caused by the update—such as game crashes and screen glitches—are affecting players’ experiences and adding to the negativity surrounding the franchise. As this happens, the brand’s challenges grow, especially when parts of the community may not thoroughly investigate the issues and instead perceive them as further evidence of the series’ decline.
Ubisoft finds itself at a pivotal, challenging moment. With Assassin’s Creed Origins’ review bombing damaging its reputation and Assassin’s Creed Shadows facing pre-release skepticism, Ubisoft needs to act decisively. Transparency and a renewed focus on delivering quality could help rebuild trust. As the company attempts to navigate these challenges, the time is ripe for Ubisoft to demonstrate that Assassin’s Creed can evolve while staying true to its storied legacy.
